Newly Passed United Nations Gun Control Treaty Could be Used to Ban Private Gun Ownership

By Rachel Alexander, on April 14th, 2013

Although the U.N claims otherwise, here is how the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) could easily be used to confiscate firearms.

On April 2, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly voted to approve a treaty supported by the Obama administration that will restrict the export of firearms to countries with poor human rights records. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is being described as a gun control measure that will keep firearms out of the hands of insurgents, terrorists and organized crime. Yet, it is clear from the way the treaty has been written, and the parts left out that the National Rifle Association (NRA) had urged it to include, that it could easily lead to the prohibition of civilian firearms ownership.

The treaty prohibits countries that ratify it from exporting conventional weapons to countries in violation of arms embargoes, or to countries that could use the arms to commit acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, undermine peace and security, or in attacks against civilians. Prohibited arms include tanks, armored combat vehicles, large-caliber weapons, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles and launchers, small arms and light weapons such as handguns. The only exception is antique and replica firearms.

The nation members of the General Assembly voted 154 to 3 to approve the treaty, with 23 abstentions. Many of the nations that abstained included large arms exporters like Russia and China, and nations with poor human rights records. Iran, North Korea and Syria voted against it. Due to the three new “Axis of Evil” nations opposing the treaty, it has been easier for gun control advocates to spin the treaty as a good thing.